Arts in Healthcare: State of the Field Report

Arts in healthcare is a diverse, multidisciplinary field dedicated to transforming the experience of healthcare by integrating the arts into a wide variety of healthcare and community settings. This report outlines the various ways that arts have contributed to improved quality of care for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to mental health to chronic disease as well as the well being of an increasingly aging population. It also describes the role of arts in fostering a positive environment for caregivers that can reduce stress and improve satisfaction and employee retention. Arts in healthcare are also discussed for their benefits to communities by engaging people in arts programs aimed at promoting prevention and wellness activities and communicating health information to improve knowledge. The report points to growing evidence of economic benefits. Arts in Healthcare provides an update to a 2003 report that was based on a gathering of 40 experts in medicine, the arts, social services, media, business, and government convened by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare.